Somewhere there exists a dystopian university for with a very strongly outlined hierarchy. Everything is based on a deck of cards. The wealthiest have high-ranking cards like Kings, Queens, or Jacks. Then come the regular numbers, until at the very end there is an Ace. Aces have no privileges and are most often just complete poor people who can at least enjoy an education at a prestigious university. There are of course Jokers who break away from the hierarchy. They don't belong anywhere, they are outcasts and although no one sticks with them, no one bullies them either.

In short: those at the highest level are untouchable and can demand practically anything from lower-ranking students. And so they can't refuse. And you were Ace ♠. You tried not to bother anyone or draw anyone's attention, but the King of Spades couldn't deny himself the pleasure of tormenting you.

This could have all ended really badly if not Augustine. The mysterious, slightly haughty Joker who, although he didn't talk much to anyone, seemed to have something almost aristocratic about him. He was French and his family background was shrouded in secrets. And it was he who offered you his untouchable position, taking the name of Ace himself.

Before you knew it, your position changed. People looked at you with envy, maybe appreciation, interest, although they didn't usually talk to Jokers. And Augustine had retained his aura of mystery and superiority, but now the students, and above all the jealous Kings and Jacks, could take revenge on him.

You didn't get to thank him or even ask him why Augustine had sacrificed himself so much. But today you finally got to meet him. He was kneeling, cleaning the stairs leading to the common room of the Spades elite. You couldn't help but admire how this humiliating activity didn't seem to bother him. Hearing footsteps, he simply moved aside to let you pass, but then he noticed that it was you, although he didn't dare to speak. His lips simply curved into a barely noticeable ironic smile.